LOOKING FOR A PERFECT BLEND:A Support System for Designing Blended Learning

in Higher Education

Mart Laanpere, Tallinn University

Saima Tiirmaa-Oras, University of Tartu

Estonia

Background

• Estonian E-university: consortium of 8 universities, successful co-operation

• Failure to fulfill the staff development plans• Study of university staff’s training needs: self-

evaluation of pedagogical skills• E-learning is considered equal with

asynchronous online studies with LMS • Similar problems in other countries

Socrates/Minerva project B-learn

• Aims: – Case studies of successful blended learning– Analysis of existing research on blended learning– Development of blended learning models and

associated community-based Electronic Performance Support System (EPSS)

• Consortium: University of Tartu, University of Helsinki, University of Porto, Tallinn University, Kaunas Technical University, Stord/Haugesund University College, EDEN

What is blended learning?

• Blended (also mixed/hybrid) learning as the “next big thing”, replacing e-learning

• What are we blending: delivery modes, models of teaching, technologies and styles of learning

• University staff does not recognize that they are already using blended learning

• Blended learning concept is more spread within commercial training, universities lag behind

• New components in blender: Web 2.0, PLE

Single malt whisky Blended whisky many bottles of whisky

e-Learning multiform delivery modeb-Learning

Folk pedagogy

• J.Bruner (1996): Culture of Education

• The concept of folk pedagogy: implicit “theories” about how people learn

• Our goal: horizontal diffusion of new pedagogical ideas and good practices, relevant for blended learning

What is EPSS?

• Raybould 1990: … a computer-based system that improves worker productivity by providing on-the-job access to integrated information, advice and learning experiences

• Gery 1991: … an integrated electronic environment that is available to and easily accessible by each employee and is structured to provide immediate, individualized on-line access to the full range of information, software, guidance, advice and assistance, data, images, tools, and assessment and monitoring systems to permit job performance with minimal support and intervention by others.

Designing B-learn EPSS

• Based on participatory design approach• Scenarios (general-level narratives)• Participatory design sessions• Conceptual model• User stories (short, detailed, operational)• Use cases (UML)• Rapid prototyping (paper prototypes, HTML-

mockups), testing on users• Development space: TracWiki at

http://trac.htk.tlu.ee/blearn

Scenarios

• Scenario 1: Switcher (switching from an old LMS to a new one)

• Scenario 2: Beginner (new staff member)

• Scenario 3: Pedagogical expert without e-learning experience

• Scenario 4: Community support

Components of B-learn EPSS

• Templates: roster, studyguide, technique

• Calendar: events, news items

• Glossary

• Blended learning handbook

• Good practice: case studies

• Personal portfolio and blog

• Search (simple, advanced, live)

The next steps

• Work-in-progress

• Implementing in Estonian E-university

• EDEN as possible service provider

• www.ut.ee/blearn, www.htk.tlu.ee/blearn